Post by witness on Aug 3, 2010 2:13:15 GMT -5

Things I love:When they get called out by the bartender. I love the awkward needle scratch moments when things don't go as planned.

The bar scene is particularly special to me, because I watched this episode with my brother. He was in college already when the series premiered, and therefore was not around much anymore. One time he came home and wanted to watch with me. I put in my VHS tape, and after it was over, he kept saying, "Ehhhh, my man, awright!!!!"

What I don't love:Maddie is not quite Maddie yet. She's being written/played a bit ditzy, and though it's fun, it's not the Maddie I know and love.The guest story takes up way too much time. They just didn't seem to have the pacing priorities down yet, and thankfully that gets corrected.

I tend to disagree about the way Maddie was written/played at this point. I think the episode showcases her naiivete and vulnerability along with her stubbornness and feistiness. I don't remember a bit of ditzy. I began to see how Maddie is able to connect with people, the way she does with Franklin Tate. As far as the plot, I think they were still trying to establish it as a boy-girl detective show (what the suits wanted), instead of the romantic-battle-of-the-sexes-comedy masking itself as a detective show that it became.

Post by Hazel on Aug 3, 2010 18:16:04 GMT -5

I tend to disagree about the way Maddie was written/played at this point. I think the episode showcases her naiivete and vulnerability along with her stubbornness and feistiness. I don't remember a bit of ditzy. I began to see how Maddie is able to connect with people, the way she does with Franklin Tate. As far as the plot, I think they were still trying to establish it as a boy-girl detective show (what the suits wanted), instead of the romantic-battle-of-the-sexes-comedy masking itself as a detective show that it became.

Let's say 7.5

Yeah, for me a lot of it was the alley scene (as much as I looooove it)-- the fretting abut the hair in a dicey situation "I'm telling Mr. Bruce..." and the "Just wait til we go to a society party, boy will you be in trouble..." and the whole wide-eyed, smiley "Just give me chance!" as David wheels her around by her arm that jumped out at me as ditzy. I can't tell if it's the lines or the delivery, but having just come off a S2 jag, this Maddie seems a tad silly. I just don't see any of that coming out of her mouth in later seasons. Again, I don't hold it against the episode per se, because I think much was still in flux at this point, and I can appreciate the evolution of the characters and direction of the show.

Post by suzyparker on Aug 4, 2010 10:13:14 GMT -5

I tend to disagree about the way Maddie was written/played at this point. I think the episode showcases her naiivete and vulnerability along with her stubbornness and feistiness. I don't remember a bit of ditzy. I began to see how Maddie is able to connect with people, the way she does with Franklin Tate. As far as the plot, I think they were still trying to establish it as a boy-girl detective show (what the suits wanted), instead of the romantic-battle-of-the-sexes-comedy masking itself as a detective show that it became.

Let's say 7.5

Yeah, for me a lot of it was the alley scene (as much as I looooove it)-- the fretting abut the hair in a dicey situation "I'm telling Mr. Bruce..." and the "Just wait til we go to a society party, boy will you be in trouble..." and the whole wide-eyed, smiley "Just give me chance!" as David wheels her around by her arm that jumped out at me as ditzy. I can't tell if it's the lines or the delivery, but having just come off a S2 jag, this Maddie seems a tad silly. I just don't see any of that coming out of her mouth in later seasons. Again, I don't hold it against the episode per se, because I think much was still in flux at this point, and I can appreciate the evolution of the characters and direction of the show.

I don't think she was ditzy, but I love how in early eps, she's always touching up her makeup. haha! Old habits die hard for a model, I guess.

Post by diane on Aug 4, 2010 11:12:33 GMT -5

I've gotta go along with Hazel on the ditziness thing. Starting with the pilot....."Poor doesn't become me"....along with some other examples, and continuing into this episode, Maddie seems a little dippy and very naive. She doesn't seem to show the inner strength and confidence that comes in future episodes.

Let me give you one of my favorite examples of Maddie coming into her own..... in "The Murder's in the Mail" during their first car scene, she is clearly terrified, and very naive about what is going on. But when David tells her to "step on the pedal, Gretel", the inner strength that I equate with Maddie Hayes is clearly visible. I don't see that in the earlier episodes, and am so glad they found it. Can't imagine our Maddie any other way.

"I don't have a disease...I have a difference of opinion." ~ Maddie Hayes

Post by Hazel on Aug 4, 2010 20:32:10 GMT -5

Hazel, I'm so glad to see you in abundance around here. I'm enjoying reading all your thoughts about these episodes, and I get to relive the moments again!

Thanks, witness! I've had some major life events and changes that have kept me from enjoying my essedness to the fullest, and I'm now getting my groove back, so here we go again!

And diane, we're on the same page. My head almost exploded at Maddie's reaction to David yanking her around. Well, not really, but... Smiles and "Give me a chance"? My Maddie would have dropped him at the grab. LOL I don't know why it never registered before. I think it's the episodes out of order thing.

Post by dedaved on Jun 26, 2012 15:20:45 GMT -5

Rating: 6

Entertaining enough first episode with some funny scenes but there is something awfully bizarre about Cybill's enthusiastic goofball performance that borders on... well "bimboey." Now it's one thing if this was Cybill's overall approach to the character at this time but we have to take into account that her portrayal of Maddie in both the pilot and Read The Mind... See The Movie are, more or less, the Maddie we know and love. So what exactly IS going on with Maddie here? This episode for the most part feels too much like conventional, mid-80s detective show patter for my taste but there are glimmers of the Moonlighting magic that make this worth the ride. The alley and bar scene is funny stuff and an early example of GGC's innate skill at mixing grimey, seamy surroundings with offbeat comedy.